May Day marches: Violence after peace

Peaceful march attended by thousands followed by chaotic demonstration by dozens

By VANESSA HO, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Updated 11:20 am, Friday, May 2, 2014

Video: Seattle May Day 2014 protest

(Ed. note: This report contains graphic language.)

A peaceful May Day turned into a long, violent evening, with some among hundreds of "anti-capitalist" protesters clashing with police, banging on cars, setting fires and smashing a bus window as they marched through Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle.

Seattle police made 10 arrests. One suspect allegedly threw a brick at officers. Police confiscated a gun from another suspect.

Among other things hurled at police: Firecrackers, a beer can and spit.

Still, May Day was less chaotic than in the past two years. The Police Department's special force investigation team was not used, and officers used pepper spray only once -- during the arrest where the gun was found.